<VV> white hot o-rings

[djtcz at comcast.net]

Original Message: From: BobHelt@aol.com
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2005 01:49:17 EST
Subject: Re: <VV> An interesting thing.....
To: shaun_mcgarvey@shaw.ca, virtualVairs@corvair.org

In a message dated 2/4/05 9:01:21 PM US Mountain Standard Time, 
shaun_mcgarvey@shaw.ca writes:

> No no no. The white ceramic paint is on the tube so that the heat from the
> exhaust manifold passing nearby is not transferred to the oil returning to
> the sump via the tubes. It is to keep the oil cooler, nothing to do with
> leaks.
> 
> yea, Vairily ... Shaun
> 
>Shaun,
>It was Richard Finch who,originally published this technique of painting the 
>pushrod tubes with white paint in his book, How to keep Your Corvair Alive. 
>And he states very clearly that it for the purpose of keeping the heat from 
>ruining the O-rings on the pushrod tubes. 

>Now it may very well also lower the heating of the oil, but how do you know? 
>This is really not a proven factor. But if I am wrong, then please show me the 
>data.
>Regards,
>Bob Helt

First, I admire Mr Finch for the quantity and variety of his accomplishments.
But I REALLY get the impression that some of his beliefs and explanations of technical stuff are, well, imaginative.  Examples are -
- his fear of "lugging" a Corvair engine by running taller than stock rear tires
- that 4130 is un-brazeable because it's "grain" opens up allowing excessive intergranular penetration of the bronze.
I'm sure in each case he observed a particular event or phenomenon, and then earnestly attempted to assemble a reasonable explanation for his stated conclusion..........

Once upon a time one of my buddies ( a master of coyote physics )  explained that the reason UFOs are attracted to power lines is that aliens really like birds, and birds sit on powerlines.  I guess it DOES make sense, in a way.